Life as We Knew It

A Novel

By: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Narrated by: Emily Bauer

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Miranda's disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the Moon closer to the Earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun?

As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.

Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda's struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all, hope, in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

©2006 Susan Beth Pfeffer (P)2006 Random House Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Good book but teen narrator got annoying

This is the story of an terrible event that affects the earth told from the viewpoint of a self involved teen. As an adult it was hard to relate to the whiny main character, but the book was very well narrated and was paced well and an interesting story.

Great book

I enjoyed this book and got through it so fast. I'm glad to find out their is several more books to this story..

Could not put this down!

Started this last night and had to finish it today. Can't wait to start the next one!

Engaging YA Post-Apocalyptic Story

The main characters POV narration seemed authentic, relatable and compelling enough.

The science of an asteroid knocking the moon out of orbit was sketchy but not a problem.

We enjoyed listening to the book and looking forward to the next books. Tho with expectations of sequel quality.

the story

liked the story plot great for readers 11-13. the vioce wad very nice to listen to

Makes you want to start storing provisions

This is one of the first audio books I ever listened, and just like the first time, after listening to this book, I felt like I should go to the supermarket and start buying non-perishable foods lol I know there are many novels that deal with surviving zombie apocalypse and other types of catastrophic scenarios, but in these there are no super humans involved, nor supernatural events, just plain people trying to deal. I hear the last novel of the series is really disappointing and I have yet to decide whether to listen to it or not, but having listened to the first 3 novels before, they're all worth the credit.

A really, really good book

Loved it. It was honest without being harsh. Please read it, you won't regret it.

A moment to pause for...

What a great story to make a stop and think about the glorious reasons we have to appreciate life today. We take so many things for granted. This is a positive message about bringing your family closer together in the midst of disaster.

I wish they would make this a movie

Such a great story, totally holds your attention. The narrator is very good as Miranda, She delivers the authentic teenage girl experience, if you have a hard time with that you may not like this book but it works.

LAWKI is the record of Miranda pouring her heart in her diary "paper is patient" another teenager said generations ago and Miranda has had her own world changed overnight. Her mother is a writer, it's believable that this typical teen will turn to her diary to pour her heart out. Miranda is so real to me. Her innocence and selfishness of a 16 year old, wanting what she wants and unable to see the adult terrors of her mother. So believable. Of course she can't! She is on the cusp of adulthood but she wants prom and a boyfriend and is stuck at home with her mom doing chores and stone cold reality that she cannot face. And every time she turns around if it's not her family putting her on a roller coaster it is Mother Nature.

Watching her family navigate the pitfalls of society collapse and trying to live off a grid with a hastily thrown together pantry, rationing food, in reactive mode makes you think over and over again how would it be for your own family? On a personal level following Miranda's friendship circles, watching her friends get torn in directions in their own ways trying to survive all feel true to me -- one lost to the Church, another making a harsh choice about love. This book is clever and raw and compelling and makes my imagination go for a ride -- I wish they would make this a movie!! Come on Reese Witherspoon!! Take a look!!

Better than I expected.

Although I typically do not read books with teenage protagonists, our book club chose this one so I felt obligated to read it, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue after the first few pages, but the sincerity of the voice kept me reading. I’m glad I did, as the plot felt like a real portrayal of what life would be like in such difficult times. Although the main character was a teenaged girl, she faced adult problems in a straightforward manner and attack them head-on while still maintaining the believability of her age. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it.